The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has received the fourth shrine of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo’s Tahrir Square.
The shrine is set to take its place in the halls devoted to the treasures of the Golden Pharaoh.
Atef Moftah, General Supervisor of the GEM project and the surrounding area, said that the transfer was carried out amid tight security measures by the Tourism and Antiquities Police. It took place under the careful supervision of restorers and museum curators.
He added that, despite the shrine being the smallest of those provided for Tutankhamun’s tomb, it is still one of the largest artefacts to have been transferred from the Boy Pharaoh’s treasures to the museum so far.
Al-Tayeb Abbas, Assistant Minister of Tourism and Antiquities for Archaeological Affairs at the GEM, said that the gilded wood shrine will be subject to restoration work inside the museum.
Abbas said that the remaining two shrines will be moved for their eventual display with the rest of the Pharaoh’s treasures in the 7,500 sqm hall.
Moamen Othman, Head of the Museums Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that before the transfer, the shrine was examined and a detailed report was prepared to document its preservation status.
He added that the restoration team carried out scientific and archaeological documentation of the artefact, and took all necessary scientific measures for restoration and maintenance. They strengthened certain parts to ensure the safety of the shrine during transportation.
Othman added that the team covered the shrine with the appropriate materials to ensure its complete safety during the transportation process.
Issa Zidan, Director General of Executive Affairs for Restoration and Transfer of Antiquities at the GEM, said that the transfer of the shrine was carried out according to international scientific standards.
He also said that the treasures were dismantled into five parts with the same technique that the Ancient Egyptian used, and then each side was individually wrapped. Meanwhile, the inner and outer boxes were added using acid-free materials.
Zidan said that the team from the GEM and the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square will reassemble the shrine within the next few days, inside its showcases in the halls of the Boy King’s treasures.
